Vogue editors will always have a soft spot for a Manolo mule or a Jimmy Choo sandal, but look under any meeting table and you’ll typically see a line up of Adidas Sambas, New Balance trainers and Arket flats. While you can’t quite beat the craftsmanship of a hand-made designer pair, there are a number of affordable shoe brands that we always trust to deliver stylish and comfortable designs that won’t fall apart after a few wears.
No one is as discerning as the Vogue shopping team when it comes to product recommendations, and so I Slacked my fellow shopping editors to grill them on which affordable shoe brands they think are best in class. Whether you want to spend £50 or £300, are looking for a new pair of trainers, sandals or boots, below you’ll find a comprehensive guide to the best purse-friendly footwear brands beloved by Vogue editors.
New Balance
New Balance trainers have long been considered a practical, functional trainer, and over the past few years they have become an essential part of the “off-duty model” uniform and a Gen Z staple. The customer base is perfectly summed up in the 990 campaign, which had the tagline: “Worn by supermodels in London and dads in Ohio”. The likes of Bella Hadid, Hailey Bieber, Kaia Gerber and Katie Holmes are all regularly seen in New Balance trainers, and have all sported multiple styles and colourways. Editor favourites include the 990v5s, the 624s, the 720s, the 574s… we could go on and on.
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Birkenstocks
With collaborations with Proenza Schouler, Manolo Blahnik and Tekla under its belt, Birkenstock has shaken off its ugly reputation and is now regarded as one of the coolest (and most comfortable) things to wear on your feet in summer. The black Arizona two-strap sandal remains a mainstay in street style pictures, but the Boston clog has also proven popular in recent years.
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Adidas
While Adidas has been behind a number of hyped sports shoes over the decades (Gazelles, Spezials and Superstars spring to mind), the Samba is one of its key legacy shoes. Created in the ’50s ahead of the World Cup in Brazil, it was initially designed as a football boot to enable players to perform better on icy surfaces, and it remained an emblem of the football terrace culture for decades. However, it has now repositioned itself as a streetwear favourite and is as beloved by the fashion industry as it is by the football world. This year, the fashion crowd is also backing the Japan, Taekwondo and Tokyo styles, that share multiple design traits.
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Salomon
Salomon’s “dad” sneakers came to define the Gorpcore movement, and their presence is still going strong. Made from abrasion-resistant mesh layered with TPU film, the XT-4s feature a hard-wearing Contagrip® outsole and drawstring laces for ease, while the XT-6s boast similarly practical spec, with a Quicklace® lacing system.
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Reformation
Rihanna’s internet-breaking Interview cover shoot in 2024 featured the star wearing Reformation’s Nadine loafers with knee-high socks, briefs and nothing else. The brand’s range of loafers have been a hit among celebrities for some time, owing to their preppy, yet elegant appeal, while the boots and Mary-Janes are also crowd-pleasers.
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Aeyde
Aeyde’s Mary-Jane pumps have become a staple among It-girls. The Uma style are a contemporary take on the classic Mary-Jane silhouette, with a square toe and skinny upper straps, available in a variety of patent and Nappa leather finishes.
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Ancient Greek Sandals
As its name suggests, Ancient Greek Sandals specialises in classic sandals that will stand the test of time. Stars, including Emma Watson and Simone Ashley, have gravitated towards the strappy leather styles, which wrap around the foot akin to, well, Ancient Greek sandals. This year the clog sandal is becoming spring’s status shoe, and naturally Ancient Greek Sandals has crafted the perfect pair.
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By Far
By Far is known for its offering of sleek, contemporary bags, and its footwear follows the same winning formula. Much like its bags, the brand’s pumps, kitten-heels and platforms are shapely and sculptural, offering a twist on classic styles.
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Arket
Arket creates foundational wardrobe pieces, and it is as exacting about its footwear design as its knitwear and tailored trousers. It stocks a number of brands, including Puma, Adidas and Birkenstock, however its own brand shoes also deserve an honourable mention — the flat pumps, boots and sandals all have a classic aesthetic with a fashion-forward edge, whether that’s with a rich plum colour or sculptural heel.
The North Face
Vogue’s head of content Chioma Nnadi included a pair of North Face’s Glenclyffe low street boots in her fashion week shopping edit, sparking something of a shopping frenzy. The outdoors brand has also recently collaborated with beloved Scandi designer Cecilie Bahnsen, putting a playful twist on these sturdy walking boots.
Vagabond
Vogue’s shopping editor Joy Montgomery advised I add Vagabond to this list, as the Swedish footwear brand that has been going from strength to strength in recent seasons. It is best known for its chunky-soled ankle boots and loafers, that have a punk sensibility, however the Chelsea boots, woven sandals and almond-toe pumps (called the Livia) are all wise investments.
Alohas
Alohas is an insider’s go-to, that was initially founded in Hawaii in 2015 to put a new spin on summer espadrilles. It is no longer a beach-centric brand – current trending styles include suede ’70s-inspired sneakers, ballet pumps with striking cut-out details, sandals with metal adornments and boots with sculptural heels. What is special about Alohas is how each shoe is made, as they are designed in Barcelona and are crafted by local artisans in Spain and Portugal.
G.H. Bass
When it comes to affordable loafers, you truly can’t beat G.H. Bass, which was founded in Maine in 1876 and has since then stuck to its timeless design principles. The brand created the first penny loafer in 1936, named the Bass Weejuns, inspired by a Norwegian moccasin that was designed for “loafing in the field.” Michael Jackson wore a pair of black Weejuns in the opening of the Thriller music video, and to this day penny loafers remain at the heart of the business, with every colourway and design you could hope for – there are currently 64 styles of women’s loafers available on the site.
